Whyalla dealer Siegunn Hayes jailed for meth trafficking while on bail

A new dad with a ‘life ruining’ meth problem couldn’t stop dealing drugs despite three arrests and went straight back to his old tricks after being released from custody.

A dealer who was taken in custody after being caught with meth on three occasions returned to trafficking straight after being released, a court heard.

Siegunn Hayes, 29, was selling drugs to fund his “raging addiction” but now wants to turn his life around after becoming a father.

The District Court heard police searched Hayes’ home address on October 31, 2020 and found 5.78g of methamphetamine of which 3.89g was pure.

They also found $2380, scales, an ice pipe, resealable bags and methamphetamine cutting agent in a bumbag.

Police re-attended at Hayes’ home on December 22, 2020 after receiving information that he was still trafficking methamphetamine.

In the kitchen police located 10.3g of methamphetamine, of which 6.76g was pure.

Police attended Hayes’ partner’s house later that same month to arrest him.

He fled upon seeing police but was apprehended in a neighbour’s property.

Police found four resealable bags of methamphetamine in a backpack in his partner’s house, as well as $700 on Hayes.

“You denied that the backpack belonged to you and asserted that the cash was from your Centrelink payments,” Judge Paul Muscat said during sentencing.

The court heard police returned to Hayes’ address in July 2021 to arrest him for returning positive drug tests while on home detention bail.

They found five plastic resealable bags containing 32g of mixed methamphetamine, scales, ice pipes, resealable bags and $460.

Siegunn Hayes was jailed for four counts of drug trafficking. Photo: Facebook

Hayes, of Whyalla Norrie, pleaded guilty to four counts of drug trafficking.

The court heard Hayes, who had worked as a cleaner and in the scaffolding industry, began using methamphetamine at 19 and instantly became addicted.

“Even after you spent a period of three and a half months in custody you reverted to using methamphetamine again and that soon led you back into dealing in methamphetamine to support your addiction,” Judge Muscat said.

The court heard Hayes’ partner was pregnant when he was remanded in custody.

“Becoming a father has given you motivation to change your life, and a determination to address your problem with methamphetamine so that when you are released from prison you can help support your partner and child,” Judge Muscat said.

Hayes’ partner is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Judge Muscat said he accepted Hayes was selling drugs to support his “raging addiction” and was not living an extravagant lifestyle.

“You could not stop using despite your attempts to do so,” he said.

“That highlights … the overwhelming power of methamphetamine. It consumes and ruins people’s lives, as it has in your case.”

Judge Muscat sentenced Hayes to seven years and seven months jail, with a non-parole period of six years and one month.

The sentence was backdated to March 20, 2021.